• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.52-58
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• 2018

In this report, we present a case study of how pharmacogenomics and pharmacometabolomics can be useful to characterize safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in early phase new drug development clinical trials. During conducting a first-in-human trial for a new molecular entity, we were able to determine the mechanism of dichotomized variability in plasma drug concentrations, which appeared closely related to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) through integrated omics analysis. The pharmacogenomics screening was performed from whole blood samples using the Affymetrix DMET (Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters) Plus microarray, and confirmation of genetic variants was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Metabolomics profiling was performed from plasma samples using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A GSTM1 null polymorphism was identified in pharmacogenomics test and the drug concentrations was higher in GSTM1 null subjects than GSTM1 functional subjects. The apparent drug clearance was 13-fold lower in GSTM1 null subjects than GSTM1 functional subjects (p < 0.001). By metabolomics analysis, we identified that the study drug was metabolized by cysteinylglycine conjugation in GSTM functional subjects but those not in GSTM1 null subjects. The incidence rate and the severity of ADRs were higher in the GSTM1 null subjects than the GSTM1 functional subjects. Through the integrated omics analysis, we could understand the mechanism of inter-individual variability in drug exposure and in adverse response. In conclusion, integrated multi-omics analysis can be useful for elucidating the various characteristics of new drug candidates in early phase clinical trials.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.120-129
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• 2013

Purpose: Parents with a premature infant are usually confronted with difficulties in caring for their babies and need education on appropriate care. The purpose of this paper was to describe the components of caring education for parents with a premature infant based on an integrative literature review and to present strategies for future education. Methods: Four electronic databases were searched to identify studies. Sixteen articles were selected through full text screening of related research published in domestic journals from January 1990 to October 2012. Results: Through in-depth discussion and investigation of the relevant literature, three components emerged; (a) nurses as educators and parents as learners, (b) education content including caring on admission or discharge, and effects of education, and (c) education environment including timing, place and materials. Conclusion: Future education on caring for premature infant should include the nurse as educator and have diverse content including parent's role, interaction with healthcare providers, and special care for premature infants with special problems. Moreover, highly technical teaching materials should be provided, along with continuous support of institution and government to individual caregivers. Results of this study provide comprehensive prospective and basic standards for education on premature infant care.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of being from low-income families on children's behavior problems and obesity. Methods: The research design was a descriptive survey study, and the participants were 197 children from low-income families who took part in activities at a local children's center. They were selected through convenience sampling. The participants completed a questionnaire, BASC-2 (Behavior Assessment System for Children). Results: The results are as follows: 22.3% had obesity, a rate higher than that of children in general. Further, 37.3% had attention deficit problems, 33.8% had problems adapting to school and 49% had other adaption problem. There was a gender-specific difference with respect to all of the behavior problems. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a lack of an identified child policy for behavior problems and health, and suggest a need for various programs and policies which could lead to development of behavior screening programs for children from low-income families.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.356-360
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• 2005

Background : This study examined the clinical utility of using indirect chest radiography during a physical examination of new conscripts for determine the presence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : Over an eight-month period, this study examined 25386 people who underwent a physical examination after conscription. The abnormal findings on mass miniature radiography were followed-up using direct chest radiography. The positive predictive value of mass miniature radiography and direct chest radiography was compared. The incidence, degree of infiltration and clinical outcome of active pulmonary tuberculosis were also evaluated during a follow-up examination. Results : The positive rate of mass miniature radiography was 1.19% (n=302). Various lesions were identified: Parenchymal lesions (n=109), mediastinal lesions (n=6), cardiovascular lesions (n=45), pleural lesions (n=49), bony lesions (n=90) and miscellaneous lesions (n=7). The incidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis by mass miniature radiography was 0.26% (n=67). The first diagnosis was made in 50 people; active pulmonary tuberculosis (n=42), pneumonia (n=1), a mediastinal mass (n=1), a rib fracture (n=2) and a pneumothorax (n=4). Most cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were mildly infiltrated and either improved or were cured by the follow-up examination. Conclusion : Although mass miniature radiography in a physical examination after conscription has limitations, but it is a useful means for detecting the presence of early disease, particularly in active pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.6
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• pp.328-333
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• 2010

Background: There are several active tuberculosis (TB) cases in Korean high schools each school year. The risk of transmission in schools is extremely high due to the considerable time spent in closed classrooms. We evaluated the control of latent tuberculosis infection in Korean high schools. Methods: When a student was identified with active TB, tuberculin skin testing was performed on their classmates and on students in their same school grade. When a student had a positive tuberculin skin tests (TST), they underwent follow-up testing with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT). The manufacturer recommended a cut-off of 0.35 IU/mL to determine QFT positivity was applied. Results: A total of 131 pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients were included based on the criteria for screening TB contacts in the National Tuberculosis Control Program. Seventy-five (57.2%) students tested smear positive. TST were performed on 7,109 students who were classmates of, or in the same grade as, a TB patient. Of the contacts, 1,231 students (17.3%) were TST positive and they were screened with QFT. Six hundred-sixty-six (55.0%) of the tested students returned a positive QFT result and the rate of positivity was significantly associated with the increasing size of TST indurations (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The use of QFT resulted in approximately 45% of TST positive students not being given chemoprophylaxis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2010

Background: Procalcitonin is a well known marker in infection that plays a role in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections in screening. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of procalcitonin in differentiating between 2009 H1N1 influenza pneumonia and community acquired pneumonia of bacterial origin, or mixed bacterial origin and 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed over the 6-month winter period during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Ninety-six patient-subjects were enrolled, all of whom had been diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia in emergency department during the study period. On admission, laboratory studies were performed, which included 2009 H1N1 influenza real-time polymerase chain reaction of nasal secretions and procalcitonin on serum; the laboratory values were compared between the study groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed on the resulting data. Results: Compared to those with bacterial or mixed infections (n=62) and bacterial pneumonia with confirmed organisms (n=30), patients with 2009 H1N1 pneumonia (n=34) were significantly more likely to have low procalcitonin levels (p=0.008, 0.001). Using cutoff of value >0.3 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin for detection of patients with confirmed bacterial pneumonia were 76.2% and 60.6%, respectively. A significant difference in procalcitonin was found between 2009 H1N1 pneumonia and pneumonia caused by mixed influenza viral and bacterial infections (0.15 [0.05~0.84] vs. 10.3 [0.05~22.87] ng/mL, p=0.045). Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin measurement may assist in the discrimination between pneumonia of bacterial and of 2009 H1N1 influenza origin. High values of procalcitonin suggest that bacterial infection or mixed infection of bacteria and 2009 H1N1 influenza is more likely.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.72-87
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• 1998

This study examined the rates of spinal abnormal curvature and the correlation of the Body Mass Index (BMI), Low Back Pain (LBP) and spinal curvature by measuring scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis in university students. The study population included 67 male, 92 female university students, making a total of 159, in Wonju City. Spinal curvature was measured by an electrogoniometer in a computerized skeletal analysis system. Lateral curvature of spine of more than 10 degrees was considered as nonspostural scoliosis. The correlation of BMI, LBP and the spinal curvature was analysed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and t-test. The following results were obtained: 1. The overall incidence and rate of scoliosis in cases with a greater than 10 degree curve in males was an incidence of 8 and a rate of 11%. In females the incidence was 36 and the rate 39.2%. 2. The overall incidence and rate of kyphosis of less than 20 degrees in males was a rate of 9 and an incidence of 11.9%. In females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In kyphosis cases of more than 40 degrees, the male rate was 5 and the incidence 7.7%. For female the rate was 13 and the incidence 14.2%. 3. The overall incidence and rate of lordosis with curves of less than 20 degrees was a rate of 6 for males and an incidence of 9.0%. For females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In cases of more than 50 degrees lordosis, the female rate was 2 and the incidence 2.2%. There were no males in this category. 4. There was a negative correlation between kyphosis and BMI. The greater the kyphotic curve, the less the BMI in males (p<0.05). There was no significant BMI difference by gender in either scoliosis or lordosis. There was, however, a significantly decreased sacral angle in the female group with LBP. The results of this study cannot be generalized to the general population because the subjects were all from one university. The measurements were quite reliable because the angles determined by the Metrocom System were highly correlated with radiologic findings. This study shows the need for a regular screening system for spinal curvatures in university health examination procedures.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.1100-1106
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• 2008

In this study, we presented rapid and simple fabrication method of functionalized surface on various substrates as a universal platform for the selective immobilization of cells. The functionalized surface was achieved by using deposition of polyelectrolyte such as poly(allyamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDAC), poly(4-ammonium styrene sulfonic acid) (PSS), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and fabrication of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microstructure through micro-molding in capillaries (MIMIC) technique on each glass, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) substrate. The polyelectrolyte multilayer provides adhesion force via strong electrostatic attraction between cell and surface. On the other hand, PEG microstructures also lead to prevent non-specific binding of cells because of physical and biological barrier. The characteristic of each modified surface was examined by using static contact angle measurement. The modified surface onto several substrates provides appropriate environment for cellular adhesion, which is essential technology for cell patterning with high yield and viability in the micropatterning technology. The proposed method is reproducible, convenient and rapid. In addition, the fabrication process is environmentally friendly process due to the no use of harsh solvent. It can be applied to the fabrication of biological sensor, biomolecules patterning, microelectronics devices, screening system, and study of cell-surface interaction.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.741-749
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• 2017

This study aims to provide the technical considerations and implications for the development of soil vulnerability assesment tool based on the review of existing tools and case studies applied both domestically and internationally. For this study, we specifically investigated the basic theories and major features implemented in the screening models abroad. In contrast, one case study of prioritizing the vulnerable districts was presented to identify the research trends in Korea. Our literature review suggested that the characteristic of target areas and contaminants needed to be properly incorporated into soil vulnerability assessment because the current tools in Korea neglected these properties which prevented this tool from being used as a correct measure of soil management and prevention. We also reached the conclusion that in terms of technical aspect, the soil vulnerability assessment tool should be developed based on the physical theory and environmental data that were varied over space and time so that the end-users were able to readily and effectively screen soil vulnerability over large areas. In parallel with technical improvement, great effort needed to be devoted to develop an integrated environmental information system that increased the availability of data and shared various types of environmental data through enhanced multi-agency collaboration.

• Korean journal of communication and information
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• v.66
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• pp.242-272
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• 2014

This study examines why follow-up investigative programs about the sinking of the Cheonan Patrol Combat Corvette(ROKS Cheonan) have not been produced, despite much speculation surrounding the cause of the sinking since November 2010, when KBS investigative program, In-Depth 60 Minutes which had covered the incident was aired. We have uncovered four reasons through a series of in-depth interviews with producers and reporters, as follows. First, Korean military authorities monopolized relevant information, while the producers could not prove or confirm the validity of the findings of the JIG(Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group)'s report because the facts had been revealed partially and selectively by the authorities and the press' scientific investigation were rejected by the authorities. Second, the crew of In-Depth 60 Minutes was subjected to severe disciplinary action by the Korea Communications Commission. This caused a chilling effect, - it broke the producers' resolve to further explore the reason behind the sinking. Furthermore, the screening of the investigative documentary, Project Cheonan Ship was cancelled without prior notice, presumably by the power of the State and markets. Third, the reorganization and shake-up of personnel by broadcasting stations' presidents appointed by the power of the State crushed the spirit of PD Journalism. Finally, the "red purge" factions stigmatized by the political or military, or the mainstream press, caused the producers or broadcasters to engage in self-censorship. The idea has been used in Korea as a smoke screen to deflect public attention. Nevertheless, the producers hope to shed light on the Cheonan sinking incident and to prove reasonable doubts by pursuing follow-up investigations.